Position: Senior Staff Attorney or Staff Attorney
Department: Legal Programs Team, Name Change Project
Reports to: Legal Director
FLSA Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Union Status: Bargaining Unit Position
About Us
Founded in 2003, the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund (TLDEF) is a national organization committed to advancing justice and equity for transgender and non-binary people. TLDEF’s Legal Programs Department currently includes theImpact Litigation Project, Name Change Project,andTrans Health Project. Last year, TLDEF won two landmark cases in the South concerning trans access to health insurance coverage, brought lawsuits against two jail systems about abuse of trans people in their custody, and advocated for greater access to name changes and government identification in multiple states.
The Opportunity
TLDEF is searching for either a Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney who is eager to join a growing legal team to use the widest possible variety of legal tools to advance TLDEF’s priorities for law and policy change to ensure real lived equality for transgender and non-binary people. The Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney will manage TLDEF’s signature Name Change Project (NCP), providing access to court-ordered name changes for low-income transgender and non-binary people through training a cadre of over one hundred pro bono partner attorneys at (currently) seven sites around the country. The Attorney will also lead the Name Change Project’s efforts to strengthen and expand advocacy and litigation to eliminate systemic barriers to accessing name and gender marker changes.
This position is an excellent opportunity for an attorney who is seeking to employ both litigation and non-litigation strategies for law and policy change, and to further the provision of direct services; there may be some flexibility in the exact balance of duties depending on the successful applicant’s interest and experience. The position reports to the Legal Director and will supervise (currently) two Name Change Project team members along with interns.
The “senior” title will be based on experience and subject to TLDEF’s collective bargaining agreement.
TLDEF is an equal opportunity employer. Black people, Indigenous people, people of color (BIPOC); lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex people; women; immigrants; people with disabilities, including those living with HIV; formerly incarcerated people; and people with lived experiences of poverty are strongly encouraged to apply.
Primary Responsibilities
Advocacy
- Identify, prioritize, and implement goals for expanding access to recognition of transgender and non-binary peoples’ name and gender, including by improving name change processes, increasing access to accurate documents and records, and promoting self-attestation.
- Leverage the full variety of legal and policy advocacy tools, and advocate with a diverse range of public- and private-sector officials.
- Sustain relationships with state and local advocacy partners, pro bono attorneys, and other stakeholders.
Impact Litigation
- In collaboration with other TLDEF legal staff, bring impact litigation to end barriers where advocacy does not suffice:
- Candidates at the Staff Attorney level would be expected to contribute to all phases of the litigation under the leadership of TLDEF’s senior litigators, including development and investigation, pleadings, motion practice, discovery, trials, appeals, and settlement negotiations.
- Candidates at the Senior Staff Attorney level would be expected to develop a portfolio of one to two cases and be responsible for the cases’ overall direction and for managing the litigation team, comprised of both TLDEF legal staff and pro bono cooperating attorneys, under the supervision of TLDEF’s Director of Litigation.
- Identify opportunities for amicus briefing, and draft amicus briefs.
Program Administration
- Manage the Name Change Project’s team members and interns.
- Ensure significant advances in efficiency and efficacy by improving how the project uses the support of pro bono firms and other volunteers, handles client flow, and uses technology.
- Provide legal oversight of the site Handbooks used by referral attorneys, client FAQs, training materials, and other explanatory documents.
- Answer legal questions from our pro bono partner attorneys.
- Support Name Change Project team members with continuously improving the Name Change Project’s systems for intake, screening, data and contact management, and referral.
- Assist Name Change Project team members with troubleshooting day-to-day operational issues associated with the Name Change Project.
- Oversee expansion of sites as indicated by strategic plan.
- In conjunction with other TLDEF staff, sustain and deepen relationships with pro bono partner firms and national, state, and local advocacy partners.
- Serve as a TLDEF spokesperson on name and gender recognition issues to both expert and lay audiences as needed. This may include interactions with reporters and journalists and presenting at conferences, CLEs, and other public forums.
- Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications and Skills
- Strong belief in TLDEF’s mission and the people who are driving the work forward, including an intersectional commitment to social, racial, economic, disability, and gender justice.
- Experience with legal or policy advocacy relating to transgender and non-binary equality.
- License to practice law in at least one U.S. jurisdiction and at least three years relevant post-law-school experience.
- Strong legal research, analysis, writing, and public speaking skills.
- Strong interpersonal communication skills that enable you to develop positive relationships with legal clients, pro bono partners, and movement leaders.
- Competency at working respectfully and effectively with transgender and nonbinary people of color, those living with disabilities, and those who are living on a low-to-no income.
- Humility, a keen understanding of power and privilege, and a willingness to accept input and feedback, especially from clients, community members, and those impacted by TLDEF’s work.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, juggle multiple deadlines, keep clear records, communicate proactively, and remain accountable to your commitments.
- Willingness or ability to foster a collegial and collaborative work environment with possibilities for mentorship and professional growth in a largely remote environment.
- Proficiency with legal research tools, such as Casetext or Westlaw.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and collaborative tools, such as Slack, Asana, and Zoom.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to occasionally travel in the U.S. and work outside normal office hours including some evenings and weekends.
Preferred Qualifications and Skills
- Professional or volunteer/intern experience with court name change proceedings.
- Project management experience.
- Proficiency with case management software.
- Fluency or proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English, especially Spanish
TLDEF acknowledges that applicants from groups that have been historically marginalized are less likely to apply for positions unless they feel that they meet 100% of a job description’s qualifications. We understand that the ideal candidate might not completely meet the criteria listed above or be equally proficient in each area. If your background and skills are a close match for this position, you are strongly encouraged to apply; we especially encourage potential candidates who are impacted by TLDEF’s work to submit their application.
Compensation
TLDEF is a unionized office and this position will be part of the bargaining unit; salary range is dependent on years worked post-law school and subject to our collectively-bargained salary scale, likely $79,000 to $104,000. TLDEF offers a robust benefits package that includes 100% employer-paidmedical, vision, dental, and life insurance; employer contributions to dependent healthcare; employer contributions to 401(k) retirement plan; 15 paid holidays; generous paid time off; sick time; healthcare flex spending account; and pre-tax commuter benefits.
Special Notes
Since 2020, TLDEF’s office has remained closed. TLDEF employees currently work from home and only visit the office when necessary. The office may re-open in 2023.
To ensure the health and safety of TLDEF employees and job applicants, all interviews will be conducted either by phone or video conference.
To Apply
Submit a compelling cover letter; resume or C.V.; and two legal writing samples of no more than twenty pages. Submissions without all required materials will not be considered.
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. No phone calls or emails, please, unless you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for the application process. For accommodations, please contact Deputy Executive Director Maxwell Scales.